THE TROPICAL ZONE. 247 



of these attain a height of forty feet or more ; the brush- 

 like heads of white flowers grow together in large clusters, 

 whose perfume scents the air and mingles with that of 

 other neighbouring trees (of the Myrtle family), called 

 Myrcias. In all the varied, undulating country which 

 characterizes this part of Brazil, each different situation 

 affords new objects of interest, and has its own appropriate 

 vegetation. One tree must be particularly mentioned, which 

 shows a preference to marshy spots, namely, the South 

 American species of Magnolia called the Talauma. The 

 specimens with which we here make acquaintance are fine 

 large trees, with large blossoms, not inferior in fragrance to 

 those of North America. 



No two countries could differ more in appearance than 

 Brazil differs from itself, however, at different times of 

 the year. For months together not a drop of rain refreshes 

 the thirsty soil, to which succeed as many months of con- 

 tinuous rainy weather, during which there are scarcely two 

 consecutive days without heavy showers. If we were to 

 travel in Brazil towards the end of the dry season, instead 

 of being surrounded on all sides with luxuriant vegetation, 

 we should find the country as we journeyed on " bare and 

 arid." Still we might travel on and on, and still meet 



